21. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion. 22. So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken, 27. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28. Say not unto thy neighbour, go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give thee, when thou hast it by thee, 29. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, secing he dwelleth securely by thee, 30. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. THE SONGS OF DEARDRA. The following beautiful specimens of ancient poetry are selected from a manuscript entitled: Imċeaċt Dheajrdre, agus Ojde Chlajnne Ujfneaċ. The Adventures of Deardra, and the Death of the Sons of Usna. Historians place these events about the first century of the Christian æra. Concovar was at that time monarch of Ulla, (now Ulster, or the northern parts of Ireland). At the birth of Deardra it was predicted that she should be the cause of great calamities; but the king, unterrified by the prediction, took her from the care of her father, Macdoil, the chief historian of Ulla, and had her carefully reared under persons of his own appointment; intending when she should have attained to mature years, to take her as his consort. Unfortunately for his plans, however, the beautiful Deardra fell in love with Naesa, one of the sons of Usna; and, with the assistance of his brothers, Ainli and Ardan, eloped with him to Alban (Scotland), in the western parts and isles of which, Naesa had considerable property. Here they lived happily, until a messenger arrived from Concovar, inviting them to return; under the appearance of friendship, but really with a view to their destruction. Deardra dissuaded the youthful heroes from flying to their own ruin; but their generous hearts suspected no treachery, and they complied with the invitation. With great reluctance Deardra left the shores of Alban; and, during the voyage, sung the following plaintive stanzas; in which the pleasures that were gone, as she too well foreboded, never to return, and the delightful scenes that witnessed the bliss of mutual love, are called to recollection. Jonmvn yom an the worst fund Noċa ttjục¥ÂUN AJFDE DE, Jonmun Dún fjODA IF DÚNYJONN, Coji cuan, nan ccojti cuan, Mar a ttigiod Ajnle is Apdan uajp: Fa gajrio ljom po bjob ann, Agus Naoise ann japċar Albann. Gleann laojġe, on gleann laojġe, Gleann meaffan, gleann meaffan, Gleann Ejċċe, on glann Ejċċe, Gleann apċaojn, gleann apċaojn, Na Naoye angleann apéaojn. Dear to me that eastern shore. Dear is Alban, land of delights. Never would I have forsaken it, had I not come with Naesa. Dear is Dunfay and Dunfin, and the lofty hill that towers above them. Dear is Inis-drayon, and Dunsaivni. Coilcuan, Oh Coilcuan! Where Ainli, and where Ardan came. Happily my days passed with Naesa, in the western parts of Alban. Glenlee, Oh Glenlee! Amidst thy shady thickets. I slept, or feasted with my love in Glenlee. Glenmessan, Oh Glenmessan! Rich were thy herbs, and bright thy greens. Lulled by the falling stream we reposed, on Inver's banks in Glen messan. Gleneich, Oh Gleneich! There my dwelling first was fixed. The woods smile when the rising sun casts his rays on Gleneich. Glenarchon, Oh Glenarchon! Fair is the vale below Dromchon. Sportive as childhood were my hours with Naesa, in the blooming vales of Glenarchon. Gleann |